Stolperstein Paul Moses Itzinger Wiesbaden: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Significance
Date: 14/06/2025
Introduction
The Stolperstein dedicated to Paul Moses Itzinger in Wiesbaden, Germany, offers visitors a profoundly moving experience that bridges personal remembrance and public history. As part of the world’s largest decentralized Holocaust memorial project, Stolpersteine—literally “stumbling stones”—are small brass plaques set into the pavement before the last voluntarily chosen residences of victims of Nazi persecution. Initiated by artist Gunter Demnig in the 1990s, these memorials now number over 100,000 across more than 30 countries, honoring Jews, Roma, Sinti, LGBTQ+ individuals, political prisoners, and others who suffered under the Nazi regime (TracesOfWar.com; Germany.info).
In Wiesbaden—a city that once had a vibrant Jewish community—the Stolpersteine project is especially poignant. The stones commemorating the Itzinger family, including Paul Moses Itzinger at Moritzstraße 15, stand as powerful reminders of lives disrupted and lost during the Holocaust. These memorials are freely accessible, interwoven into the city’s daily life, and supported by educational resources, guided tours, and digital tools such as the Stolpersteine app and the Audiala audio guide (Mapcarta; Wikidata; wiesbaden-lebt.de; Folklife Magazine).
This guide provides essential information for visiting the Paul Moses Itzinger Stolperstein, including its historical and cultural significance, practical travel tips, and suggestions for meaningful engagement with Wiesbaden’s wider memorial landscape.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Stolpersteine Project: Origins and Purpose
- The Itzinger Family and the Holocaust in Wiesbaden
- Visiting the Paul Moses Itzinger Stolperstein: Practical Information
- Symbolic and Cultural Significance
- Community Engagement and Educational Value
- Rituals and Acts of Remembrance
- Supporting the Stolperstein Project
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Summary and Travel Tips
- References
The Stolpersteine Project: Origins and Purpose
The Stolpersteine project began in the early 1990s, conceived by German artist Gunter Demnig. Each 10x10 cm brass-plated stone is embedded in the pavement before the last freely chosen residence of a victim of Nazi persecution. The plaque is engraved with the individual’s name, date of birth, fate, and—if known—date and place of death. By 2025, over 100,000 Stolpersteine have been installed in more than 30 countries, making this the largest decentralized memorial in the world (TracesOfWar.com; Germany.info).
What sets the Stolpersteine apart is their integration into everyday urban life. Unlike grand, centralized monuments, these small memorials bring remembrance into the paths people walk daily, inviting spontaneous reflection and engagement.
The Itzinger Family and the Holocaust in Wiesbaden
The Itzinger family, whose Stolpersteine are clustered at Moritzstraße 15, were among the many Jewish residents of Wiesbaden targeted and murdered during the Holocaust. The family included Paul Moses Itzinger (b. 1937), Emanuel, Isaac Schaja, Manfred, Milka, Israel, Henny, and Adolf Itzinger. All were murdered in Biecz, Poland, a site of Nazi atrocities (TracesOfWar.com).
Before the Nazi era, Wiesbaden’s Jewish community numbered over 2,700, contributing significantly to the city’s cultural and civic life. Their memory is now preserved through projects like Stolpersteine, which transform the city’s streets into living memorials.
Visiting the Paul Moses Itzinger Stolperstein: Practical Information
Location and Accessibility
The Stolperstein for Paul Moses Itzinger is located at Moritzstraße 15, Wiesbaden, embedded in the public sidewalk. Wiesbaden’s Stolpersteine are scattered throughout the city, particularly in neighborhoods like Dichterviertel and Rheingauviertel (Mapcarta). The stones are accessible at all times and are generally at street level, making them reachable for most visitors, including those with mobility aids.
To find specific Stolpersteine, visitors can use resources such as the Stolpersteine in Wiesbaden app and the official Stolperstein database.
Visiting Hours and Tickets
- Hours: Stolpersteine are in public spaces and can be visited 24/7.
- Admission: There are no tickets or fees. Visits are always free.
Guided Tours and Visitor Tips
- Guided Tours: Local organizations such as the Aktives Museum Spiegelgasse and the Stadtmuseum am Markt offer guided tours in German and English. These tours often provide deeper historical context and can be booked in advance.
- Self-Guided Visits: Use the Stolpersteine app for self-guided walking tours, which include maps and biographical details.
Etiquette and Respectful Conduct
- Pause to read the inscriptions and reflect.
- Avoid standing directly on the stones.
- You may gently polish the stone with a soft cloth—a traditional act of remembrance.
- Leaving a small stone, flower, or candle nearby is a meaningful gesture, rooted in Jewish custom.
- Photography is permitted, but please be discreet and respect the residential setting.
Accessibility Considerations
Most Stolpersteine are accessible via public sidewalks, though some may be on uneven surfaces. The city center is generally wheelchair-friendly. For specific needs, consult the Stolpersteine app or local tourist information for accessible routes.
Nearby Historical Sites and Attractions
- Wiesbaden Synagogue (site): Former site, now a memorial.
- Jewish Museum Wiesbaden: Explores the history and legacy of the Jewish community.
- Stadtmuseum am Markt (City Museum): Exhibits on local and Jewish history.
- Other Stolpersteine clusters: Many other stones, including those for Isaac Schaja Itzinger and Adolf Itzinger, are located nearby (Mapcarta).
Symbolic and Cultural Significance
Stolpersteine transform streets into spaces of personal and collective reflection. By personalizing memory and decentralizing commemoration, they democratize the act of remembrance and foster daily encounters with history. Bending down to read a Stolperstein is both a physical and symbolic gesture of respect.
This project also challenges indifference and counteracts forgetfulness, embedding stories of loss and resilience in the urban landscape (Folklife Magazine).
Community Engagement and Educational Value
The installation and care of Stolpersteine are often community efforts, involving residents, schools, and relatives. Educational programs frequently incorporate Stolperstein research and visits, linking historical events to personal stories and fostering empathy among younger generations.
Digital documentation, such as online maps and biographies, ensures that the reach of these memorials extends beyond their physical location (TracesOfWar.com; Wikidata).
Rituals and Acts of Remembrance
Cleaning Stolpersteine—often taken up by locals, students, or descendants—honors the memory of those commemorated. Annual ceremonies, such as on International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27) or the anniversary of Kristallnacht (November 9), may include readings, flowers, and moments of silence.
Supporting the Stolperstein Project
Visitors can contribute to the Stolperstein initiative by sponsoring new stones, donating, or volunteering. Information is available through the Aktives Museum Spiegelgasse and the Stolpersteine Foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where is the Stolperstein for Paul Moses Itzinger located?
At Moritzstraße 15, Wiesbaden, embedded in the public sidewalk. Use the Stolpersteine app or official database for details.
Is there an admission fee or ticket required?
No. Stolpersteine are free, public memorials accessible at all times.
Are guided tours available?
Yes, through organizations such as the Aktives Museum Spiegelgasse and Stadtmuseum am Markt.
How can I support the Stolperstein project?
By sponsoring a stone, donating, or volunteering. Contact the Aktives Museum Spiegelgasse or the Stolpersteine Foundation for more information.
Is the site wheelchair accessible?
Most Stolpersteine are at street level and accessible, though some sidewalks may be uneven.
What language are the inscriptions in?
Typically German. Translation resources are available via the Stolpersteine app or on guided tours.
Summary and Travel Tips
The Stolperstein for Paul Moses Itzinger stands as a powerful micro-memorial within Wiesbaden’s wider landscape of Holocaust remembrance. Its presence transforms the city’s sidewalks into sites of reflection, education, and community engagement. The project’s decentralized approach democratizes memory, ensuring that victims’ names and stories remain present in the rhythm of daily life (TracesOfWar.com; Mapcarta).
Travel Tips:
- Use the Stolpersteine in Wiesbaden app or official map to plan your route.
- Visit during daylight for best visibility and safety.
- Participate in guided tours or commemorative events for a deeper understanding.
- Support the project through donations or volunteering.
- Share your experience respectfully on social media to help raise awareness.
By visiting the Paul Moses Itzinger Stolperstein, you join a living act of remembrance—contributing to a culture that values empathy, vigilance, and the rejection of intolerance (Aktives Museum Spiegelgasse; Folklife Magazine).
References
- Visiting Stolpersteine in Wiesbaden: History, Tickets, and Visitor Information, 2025, TracesOfWar.com (TracesOfWar.com)
- Visiting the Stolperstein for Paul Moses Itzinger in Wiesbaden: History, Significance & Visitor Guide, 2025, TracesOfWar.com and Mapcarta (TracesOfWar.com; Mapcarta; Wikidata)
- Explore the Paul Moses Itzinger Stolperstein in Wiesbaden: Visiting Hours, Tickets & Nearby Historical Sites, 2025, Germany.info, Folklife Magazine, am-spiegelgasse.de (Germany.info; Folklife Magazine; am-spiegelgasse.de)
- Visiting the Stolperstein for Paul Moses Itzinger in Wiesbaden: Hours, Location, and Complete Guide, 2025, wiesbaden-lebt.de, Aktives Museum Spiegelgasse (wiesbaden-lebt.de; Aktives Museum Spiegelgasse)
